By Tom Rohrer
There have been many team accolades for Capital High School athletics, including state titles in softball, baseball, football and swimming.
Up until this season, the Cougar girls cross country team had yet to finish on the podium as a team at the state championships, a fact that long-time head coach Kevin Wright was all too familiar with.
“It was always there hanging over me,” said Wright, who has guided the Cougars to 13 straight state appearances, the longest current streak for a state public school. “I didn’t want to ever put any extra pressure on the girls I’ve coached, but it was a goal for some time. We wanted to get that justification and had opportunities to do so, but didn’t accomplish it. That’s sports sometimes.”
However, the 2012 Cougar team appeared different than the CHS teams of the past, and thanks to outstanding performances from talented underclassman and experienced seniors, the goal of making the podium was finally reached.
At the WIAA 2A State Cross Country meet in Pasco on Saturday, Nov 3., the Cougars earned a third place finish as a team behind state champion Sehome High School and runner-up Bellingham High. Almost as impressive is the fact that the Cougars won the state academic award with a cumulative GPA of 3.902.
“It was a big relief,” Wright said. “There were definitely some tears flowing due to the emotion. But I can say they were happy tears. Being involved with this group has been amazing. They’re driven, dedicated and are just fun to be around.”
The highest team finish in school history was fueled by personal record performances by four CHS runners, including sophomore Lauren Pierson, who’s time of 19:26.1 (5,000 meters) earned her a 10th place finish individually, the highest for the Cougars. Juniors Hannah Hartman (19:40.8) and Nicole Hartman (19:55.4) placed 15th and 24th respectively, while senior Christine Maggi (20:38.0) finished 55th. Sophomore Payton McGuin’s time of 20:57.9 earned her 70th, while junior Sophia McLain (20:59.5) and senior Eliza Ramsey (21:10.03) took home 71st and 80th place respectively.
“It was a total team effort,” Pierson said. “And it wasn’t just on that day. It was the effort that took place all season long. This was a dedicated team, and we had a goal. To accomplish that goal together, that was a great feeling. In fact, I don’t think the feeling has worn off yet.”
Hannah Hartman’s performance is even more remarkable considering the fact she lost a shoe a half mile into the race.
“Someone stepped off my shoe and it came part way off so I had to kick it off,” said Hartman, who still managed to run a personal record despite the footwear loss. “It didn’t change how I raced at all, and the adrenaline just kicked in. I just had to keep going.”
Since Capital has made going to the state meet an annual fall tradition, the Cougar runners have been able to garner experience in the high pressure environment, something they credit to this year’s success.
“I think you know what to expect a little more,” said Ramsey, who, along with Maggi, was a team captain. “The nerves aren’t there as much and you can just go out and run and race.”
Wright believes the Cougar’s dedication across the roster helped them when it mattered most.
“Normally, I arrange Saturday workouts, make them mandatory for the team,” Wright said. “I didn’t have to do that this year. I said to them, you arrange the time and the place and they did. It’s refreshing and makes it easier to coach knowing that they will do whatever it takes to be successful.”
Pierson and Hartman credit the coaching from Wright and the leadership from the upperclassman towards that dedication.
“Coach Wright is really more than a coach,” Pierson said. “He’s there to help you with everything and he wants to see you successful both in cross country and in school and your personal life. It’s like having another family member.”
“When you see the passion that girls like (Ramsey and Maggi) have, you don’t want to hold anything back,” Hannah Hartman said. “It’s easier to give your all at that point, and this team was like a family for us and always will be. I know that it’s going to be hard to replace their leadership, but they left a template for us.”
Wright will have a cupboard full of talent next year, as five of his top seven runners return for the 2013 season. The lady Cougars are not satisfied and Wright cannot remember a time when his program had more talent.
“I’m going to keep working on getting better and stay on my plan,” Pierson said. “It’s exciting having accomplished what we did, but we know that we can do even better if we just stay on course and focused.”
“I’ve never had my top three or four runners return, so that is huge for us,” Wright said. “With these girls, they’re so focused on every aspect of their lives, so I know they will keep improving. They don’t settle, and that’s how you have to be in this sport.”
